Vending machine



March 19, 1929. W, H, GILBERT 1,705,859

VENDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 24, 1925 7 SheGtS-Sheet l Vent/ow 5WooA/vo/G/LBERT T To #FA/Eff 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 1, AN NW w1 ,w fw WV N/ mfn @f @M @1M/u March 19, 1929. w. H. GlLBERT VENDING MACHINE Filed Feb.24, 1925 March 19, 1929. w. H. GILBERT VENDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 24,1925 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 ww l @n 5 1 www; mw@

fm/enz/of WOODLAND G/l. BERT 67M' @war TTORNE Y:

March 19, 1929. W H, G|LBERT 1,705,859

VENDING MACHI NE FileclA Feb. 24, 1925 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 f7@ f7 JPatented Mar. 19, 1929.

WOODLAND H. GILBERT, OYE' ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

VENDING MACHINE.

Application filed February 24, 1925.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements invending machinesparticularly designed to normally maintain a commodity vwithin a lockedcontainer and are adapted to be unlocked byapurchaserwithout thenecessary intervention or attendance of the seller, and moreparticularly is an improvement over the form of vending machine shown inmy prior Patent No. 1,461,613 issued July 23, 1923.

The particular object of the invention is to provide such a vendingmachine combining novel constructional features which will render itfool-proof and eilicient in operation and whereby it will require aminimum amount of attention on the part of the attendant.

The object of the invention' therefore is to provide an improved vendingmachine.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the followingdescription and the accompanying drawings and Awill be pointed out inthe annexed claims.

In the drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carryout the various objects of the invention but it is to be understood thatthe invention is not confined to the exact features shown, as variouschanges may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one of the vending units showing the devicein locked closed position and with a key member artially inserted and inposition to un ock the device upon further inward movement thereof;

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the key member thrust into the deviceto the limit of its movement, thereby unlocking the device yandsimultaneously causing the charge to be automatically marked thereon;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1showing the means provided for illuminating the closure and the signallight provided at the rear of the device, and also showing the door atthe front of the structure in unlocked open position;

Figure 4. is a partial vertical sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure1 with the parts positioned as shown in Figure l;

Figure 5 is a similar view on the line 5 5 of Figure 1; Y

Figure 6 is a partial transverse sectional view on the line 6-6 ofFigure 2, showing Serial No. 11,287.

the means provided for retaining the mechamsm in unlocked open position;

Figure 7 is a similar View on the line 7 7 of Figure 1, showing thepart-s in door-locking position;

Figure 8 isa partial transverse sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure2, showing the means provided for indicating a repeated operation of thesame vending unit y the same key member;

Figure 9 is a detailed sectional view on the line 9-9 of Figure 2showing the constructlon of the hinges supporting the rear door of thedevice;

Figure 10 is a sectional view on the line lQ-lO of Figure 12 showing themeans provlded to retain in its adjusted positions, the mechanismemployed to prevent the type from printing on the same place on thecard, the purchase price of an article sold, should the purchaserattempt to actuate the same container more than once with the same card;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary detailed view showing the simple switchmechanism provided for opening and closing the circuit to the signallight at the-rear of the machine., the switch being shown incircuitopenlng position;

Figure 12 is a plan view of the key card or ticket holder removed fromthe machine;

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view on the line 13-13 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a partial plan view of Figure 12 showing the preferredmethod of mounting the type and inking roll therefor, and also showingthe means for actuating the same;

Figure 15 is a detailed sectional view on the line 15-15 of Figure 13showing the type and inking roll in normal inoperative position;

Figure 16 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of the type mounted onits supporting shaft;

Figure 17 is a similar view showing the means provided for locking theslidable type-holding sleeve against relative rotation on thetype-supporting shaft;

Figure 18 is a sectional view on the line 18-18 of Figure 2 showing theparts in door-unlocking position;

Figure 19 is a sectional view on the line 19-19 of Figure 2;

Figure 20 is a view showing the form of key card or ticket employed torelease the doors of the apparatus and upon which the amount of eachcharge is primed or marked by the type; and

Figure 21 is a view showing the preferred form of master key employed tounlock the card holder when it is desired to remove the holder from themachine to readjust the type and inking roll thereof to conform to thepurchase price of the article to be vended.

The general construction of the vending` machine featured in thisinvention and shown in the accompanying drawings, is somewhat similar tothe construction of the machine shown in the above-mentioned patent.with the exception that several improvements and refinements have beenadded which tend to make a more practical and fool-proof device.

The apparatus here shown preferably comprises a metallic containerhaving a bottom wall 21 and the opposed side walls 22. The upper wall 23of the casing is slidably mounted on the side walls 22 by means ofguides 24 provided on each side of the slide 23 and the walls 22. asshown in Figures 6 and 8. The guides 24 are preferably formed by bendingand folding the marginal edges of the slide 23 and the walls 22 asshown. By thus slidably mounting the upper wall 23 on the side walls ofthe container the upper wall, upon which the operating mechanism ismounted, may be removed from the container for adjustment of the variousparts and for repairs, when necessary.

In general practice a plurality of these containers are arranged onsuitable shelves 25 adjacent one another, and between the front and rearpanels 26 and 27 as indicated in Figure 3. The arrangelnent and mountingof the containers. therefore, is similar to that shown and described inmy prior patent above lnentioned.

A frame 28 is provided at the front end of the container and this frameprovides a seat 29 for a glass door 31, which is hinged to the upperportion of the frame 28 by means of pins 32 secured to the door andpivotally mounted in lugs 33 secured to the frame 28. The frame 28 alsofunctions to conceal the edges of the container walls 22 and bottom 21'and to provide a stop for lining 34 which is removably mounted withinthe container (see Figure 3). This lining is preferably formed of sheetmetal and is finished in white enamel so as to present a neat andsanitary appearance and also to reflect the rays of light from anelectric light bulb 35 arrangedfin the upper wall thereof. The lining isretained within the container by means of a detent 36 secured to thebottom wall 2l and which is adapted to be engaged by the outwardlyturned circumferential flange 37, provided at the front end of thelining. (See Figure 3.) The rear end of the lining is provided willi asimilar flange 38, which functions to strengthen the lining and also toprovide a. scat for a rear door 39, which provides a closure for therear end ot' the container.

By reference to Figure 3 is will be seen that the over-all height of thelining 34, nieasuring from top to bottom of the flange 37, issubstantially less than the inside height of the container, so that thefront end portion of the lining .may be lifted or raised with relationto the container walls 21 and 22. The amount of such lifting of thelining is sufficient to allow the lower flange 37 to slide over thedetent 36, when it engages the inclined face thereof, after which theflange will enga-ge the vertical wall of the detent to lock the line inplace within the container, as shown in Figure 3. The lining may readilybe removed from the rear end of the container by lifting the flange outof engagement wit-h the detent, and after the light bulb 35 has beenremoved from its socket- Means are preferably provided in theconstruction of the lining 34 to prevent the light rays from the bulb 35to be outwardly directed through the. glass door 31 at the front end ofthe container, and into the eyes of the purchaser. Such means preferablyconsist in shaping a portion of the upper wall of the lining' to providea visor or detlector 41, which functions to direct the rays ot lightdownwardly and rearwardly into the container.

This visor or deflector may be conveniently formed by bending the metalas shown in Figure 3. An aperture. 42 is provided in the concavedportions 43 of the lining wall, through which the threaded plug 44 ofthe light bulb may be inserted to be received in its complementarysocket 45 which is mounted in a suitable insulating block 46 secured toa flanged plate 47, which is suitably secured to the upper wall 23 ofthe container by means of screws 48. Suitable apertures are provided inthe wall 23 and plate 47 to provide clearance for the socket 45. itbeing understood that the latter is suitably spaced from the plate 47and wall 23 in order to prevent the latter from coming into electricalcontact with the socket.

A finishing plate 49, preferably U-shaped in cross section, is securedto the rear edge of the upper wall 23 of the container by means ofsuitable screws 51 passing through the lower flange 52 thereof and thewall 23, as shown in Figure 3. `This finishing plate provides a meansfor closing the gap between the wall 23 and the lower edge of the panel27, which gap must be sufficiently wide to permit the removal of thewall or slide 23 and the operating mechanism mounted thereon when it isremoved from the container.

The means provided for supporting the lill) rear door 39 preferablyconsists of a suitable hinged mechanism so constructed as to vieldablyretain the door in closed position and also to yieldably retain suchdoorin open position, when opened substantially to a horizontal position.Such means prefer-l ably consists 1n providing a lug 53 on each side ofthe door 39 adjacent the upper corners thereof, which lugs are adaptedto be received between a pair of cars 54 (shown in Figures 1, 2 and jectthrough an opening in the pla-te 49. The ears 54 and lugs 53 areapertured to receive the pivot pins 55, which form the hinges of thedoor 39. As shown in Figure 9, the lugs 53 may be formed of sheet metalin order to eliminate'weight as muchas possible, it being understood ofcourse, that, if desired, they may be made of solid material suitablysecured to the door 39.

The means provided for yieldably retaining the door in its closed andopen positions preferably consists in the provision of a pair f ofbox-like brackets 56 each having a plunger 57 slidably mounted therein.Each plunger is provided with a head 58 adapted to engage the lugs 53,as shown in Figure 9. A coiled compression spring 61 is mounted on eachplunger 57 and has one end bearing against the rear wall 62 of thebracket and the other end thereof bearing against a pin 63 secured tothe plunger, so that the plunger is normally yieldably held against thelugs. A wall 64 is provided in each bracket 56 to provide bearings forthe ends of the plungers adjacent the lugs 53. Thus 'it will be seenthat when the door 39 is opened the corners 59 of the lugs 53 willengage the plunger heads 58 which will cause the plungers to beaxiallymoved in their bearings against the compression of the springs 61. Whenthe door has reached substantially a horizontal position, the upperflattened surfaces 'of the lugs 53 will be brought into contact with theplunger heads 58, which will thereby cause the plungers to retain thedoors in such position, caused by the distancefrom theaxes of the pivoti pins 55 to the lextreme points of the corners 59, .being greaterthanthe distance from the axes of the pins to the llattenedupper surfaces ofthe lugs 53. The-brackets 56 may be conveniently secured to the upperlwall 23 of the container by 65. A hand grip or knob 66 is preferablyprovided on the rear door 39 whereby the attendant may conveniently openand close the door when placing a new article within the container.

means of screws The front door 31 of the container is provided with anovel lockingA mechanism' whereby the door will be automatically lockedin closed position when the vending mechanism, mounted on the upper wallor slide 23 of the container, is set or moved into which outwardly pro-`article has been placed within the container.

Such means preferably consists in the provision of a bell crank 67 whichis pivotally mounted upon a pin 68 secured to one c nd of an adjustablearm 69. The arm 69 is pivotally mounted on one of the side walls 22 ofthe container by means of a screw or pivot pin 7l. (See Fig. 3.) Anarcuate slot 72 is provided in the opposite end ofthe arm 69 adapted toreceive a screw 73 which is also mounted in the wall 22 of thecontainer, and functions as a means forlocking the arm 69 in itsadjusted position. The arm 69 is made adjustable so that the pivot pin68 may be lowered to move the upper end of the arm 67 out of connectionwith the operating mechanism, carried by the demountable upper wall ofthe casing so that the wall may readily be removed therefrom. rlherelatively longer arm of the bell crank 67 preferably has its outer endinwardly bent to form a projection 74, which inwardly projects throughan elongated aperture 75 provided in the wall 22 of the containercasing, as shown in the lower left hand corner of Figure l. This lug isadapted to engage a curved hook 76 secured to one side of the door 31,(see Figure 3).

A latch 77 is pivotally mounted on the casing wall 22, on the inner sidethereof and adjacent the lining 34. This latch is yieldably held innormal position against a stop pin 78 by means of a leaf spring 79.having one end secured thereto and the other end supported by means of aguide 81 provided in the upper portion of the casing wall. A detent 82is formed on the latch 77 adapted to engage the upper portion of thecurved hook 76 when the door 31 is in closed or locked position. A stoplug 83 is also provided in the latch 77 adapted to provide a stop forthe projection 74 of the bell crank 67, when the door is in openposition as shown in Figure 3.

Then the door is in open position the stop lug 83 on the latch 77 willbe moved into the path of the lug 74 on the bell crank 67 by the actionof the spring 79. When thus positioned, and the door 31 is in wide openposition so that the curved hook 76 will be out of contact with thedetent 82, it will be impossible for the attendant to move the bellcrank 67 into door-locking position as a result of the projection 74engaging the stop lug 83, on the latch 77.

As soon, however, as the purchaser releases the door 31, it will assumethe position shown in Figui-e3, in which position the lug 74 and thebell crank 67 will engage the curved or cam face of the hook 76, therebycausing it and the door to be inwardly moved as the bell crank isdownwardly moved into door locking position by the attendant. Suchmovement of the llt) bell crank and the door 31 will cause the latch 77to be inwardly moved by the hook engaging the detent 82 thereof. Suchinward movement of the latch will cause the stop lug 83 to be moved outof the path of the projection 74 of the bell crank, thereby permittingit to be moved to the bottom of its stroke or into door-lockingposition. As soon as the door-releasing mechanism has been actuated bythe insertion ot' a key-member into the device, by the purchaser, andwhich will be hereinafter described, the bell crank will be upwardlymoved to the position shown in Figure 3. Such movement of the bell crankwill allow the latch to be outwardly moved against the stop pin 78 bythe action of the spring 79, thereby causing the detent 82 to engage thehook 7G and thus partially open the door as shown in Figure 3. A guidemember 84 is preferably secured to the casing wall to retain the bellcrank G7 in close proximity to the outer surface of the wall.

The means provided for actuat-ing the bell crank 67 consists of anL-shaped lever 85, which is pivotally mounted on a pin 8G sccured to theupper wall 23 of the container casing. One arm of this lever is arrangedto overhang the upper corner of the Container and is provided with anaperture 87 adapted to receive the terminal 88 of the upright arm of thebell crank 67, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. A guide bar 89 is alsosecured to the slide 2,3 to retain the L-shaped lever against the wall23. The other end of the lever outwardly projects through an elongatedopening (not shown) provided in the U-shaped finishing plate 49, so asto provide a hand grip 90 whereby the attendant may conveniently actuatethe lever in moving the vendingr mechanism into doorlocking or vendingposition. A guide bar 91 is also provided adjacent the grip 90 to guidethe lever 85. A locking bar 92 has an olf-set end portion 93 which ispivotally connccted to the L-shaped lever 85 by means of a suitablescrew or pin 94. The opposite end of this locking bar is slidablymounted in upright guides 95 and 96, preferably formed of a single pieceof sheet metal which has its lower horizontal portion suitably securedto the container casing by screws 97, as shown in Figures 1, 2, G and 7.The lever 69 is also adjustably mounted to facilitate assembling thebell crank 07 and the L-shaped lever 85. The terminal 88 may be out ofand into engagement vith the aperture 87 by moving the. slotted end ofthe arm 69 upwardly.

A notch 98 is provided in the lower edge of the locking bar 92 adaptedto receive the upper end of a vertically movable post 99, which has itslower end secured ,to one end of a pivotally mounted arm 101, asparticularly shown in Figures 4 and 5. The arm 101 is pivotally mountedon a pin 102 carried byV a forked bracket 103 secured to the under sideof the slide 23. A similar arm 104 is also mounted on the pin 102 andoppositely extends therefrom towards ,the front end of the container asshown in Figures 4 and 5. An arched key-engaging member 105 is securedto the arm 104 and this member is adapted normally to be upwardlyprojecte-d through an elongated opening provided in the slide 23 and theadjacent parts and into the path of the key-member to be engaged therebywhen the latter is thrust into the key-holder, as will hereinafter bedescribed.

A flat spring 107 has one end secured to the arm 104 and its flexibleend adapted to bear against the under side of the arm 101 in such amanner that. when the arm 104 is downwardly moved or oscillated by theaction of the key member contacting with the arched member 105, the arm101 will be yieldably upwardly moved to bring the post 99 into Contactwith the lower edge of the locking bar 92. Therefore, it will readily beseen that as soon as the locking bar is released or moved from theposit-ion shown in Figure 7 to that Ashown in Figure 6 the post 99 willbe upwardly moved into the notch 98 provided in the lower edge -of thebar, thereby preventing the locking bar 92, and therefore the L-shapedlever 85 and the bell crank G7 from again being moved into door-lockingposition until after the keycard or member has been withdrawn from thekey holder, which action will permit the arched member to be upwardlymoved into the elongated opening 106 and therefore the post 99 to bedownwardly moved out of engagement with the notch 98 in the locking bar92. Tension means are preferably provided to downwardly move the arm 101when the key-card has been removed from the card holder thereby to movethe post 99 out of engagement with the notch 98 in the locking bar. Suchdownward movement of the arm 101 may be accomplished either by gravityor by the use of a small spring arranged to engage and to exert a slightdownward pressure upon the arm. The means shown in the drawingspreferably consists in the provision of a small Hat spring 108 which maybe secured to the under side of the slide 28 in position to engage theend of the arm 101 shown in Figure 4. The spring 108 may be secured tothe slide 23 by means of one of the Ascrews 97. (See Figures 6, 7 and8.)

It is to be understood, however, that the spring 108 is relativelyweaker in strength than the spring 107 so that when the arm 104 isdownwardly forced by the insertion of a card the arm 101 wil be upwardlymoved against the tension of the spring 108. Thus by means of the spring107 it will readily be seen that a card may be inserted into the cardholder regardless of whether the post 99 is in registration with thenotch 98 or not, and after a card has been inserted therein the post 99will automatically be moved into locking engagement with the bar 92 assoon as the latter has been moved sufficiently to bring the notch 98into alignment therewith. Means are provided on the upper portion of thecontainer which constantly tend to move the operating lever 85 from thedoor-locking position shown in Figure 1 to the door releasing positionshown in Figure 2. Such means will be subsequently described.

The detaining means for the operating 1ever is a mechanism which isoperated by an instrumentality in the hands of the purchaser. Theinstrumentality or key member employed to actuate the door-releasingmechanism preferably is a flat member or card such as shown in Figure20. The means provided to receive this key member is in the form of aslide which preferably is demountably mounted in guides provided on theupper wall 23 of the container. The key holder or slide is preferablyconstructed of sheet metal and comprises a bottom or base 109 and theopposed side walls 111 having oppositely projecting tongues 112 `formedtherein which are adapted to be received in longitudinal guideways 113provided on the top wall 23 of the container, as shown in Figure 8. yThese guideways are preferably formed by upwardly and inwardly bendingthe opposite edges of a plate 114 which is suitably secured to the topwall 23 of the container. The forward end of the card holder or slide isprovided with an enlarged mouth 115, preferably formed by a curved plate116 and which mouth projects through the front panel 26 as shown inFigures 4 and 5. The rear portion of the curved plate 116 is downwardlyflared to provide a relatively narrow elongated opening of suiiicientsize to permit the insertion of the key member or card therein and toguide it into the guides 117 secured to the plate 114 of the card slide.An aperture 118 is provided in the rear portion of the plate 114 adaptedto receive ya hook 119 which is yieldably mounted upon the rear portionof the plate 114. An aperture 121 is also preferably provided in thewall 23 to provide clearance for the end of the hook 119 when in theposition shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5. By thus mounting the card holderor slide, it may readily and conveniently be removed from the containerfor adjustment of its parts by simply raising the hook 119 out ofengagement with the aperture 118.

Means are provided in the key slide to prevent the purchaser from usinga card or key member to unlock the door-o erating mechanism which is notintended or esigned for the purpose. Such means preferably consists inmountin a cylinder 122, having a plurality of spacev teeth 123, adjacentthe rear end-portion of the slide as shown in Figures l, 2, 4, 12 and18. The cylinder 122 1s mounted upon a shaft 124 which is mounted in theopposed walls 125 and 126 of a U-,shaped member 127 which is suitablysecured to the base plate 109 of the card holder. A torsion spring 128is coiled about theshaft 124 and functions normally to hold the cylinderin the position shown in Figures .1 and 4. When the c linder is thusposltloned it will be seen that one of the teeth 123 will be inengagement/with a stop lug 129 formed by inwardly bending a port1on ofthe forward end of the wall 126 of the U-shaped member127 (seeparticularly Figures 1 and 12). Referring to Figure 20 1t will be seenthat the key member or card 131 employed to actuate the door-o eratingmechanism comprises a plurality of) spaced slots or elongated apertures132 arranged adjacent one corner thereof in position to receive thespaced teeth 123 of the cylinder when the card is inserted into the cardholder as shown in Figure 1. -When the card is in the position shown inFigures 1 and 4, it will be seen that the inner end thereofwill engagethe lowermost teeth of the cylmder. As the end of the card is shovedunder the cylinder, the end of the card and the notches therein willengage the teeth 123 of the cylinder and will thereby cause it to berotated in a manner similar to that of a common form of rack and gear.Thus it will be seen that it will be impossible for a purchaser toactuate the device unless the member employed is provided with thenecessary slots 132 to receive the teeth 123 of the cylinder. Slots 90may also be provided in the key member 131 to mislead a person withfraudulent intent, such slots functioning to make the key member appearmore difficult to duplicate. Obviously, these slots may be of any size,shape Aor number desired, as they have no direct function in theoperation of the device.

A ratchet is preferably integrally formed on one end of the cylinder 122and is adapted to be engaged by a spring-actuated dog 134 mounted upon ashort shaft 135 which is born by the` walls 125 and 126 of the VU-shaped member 127 A locking member or latch 136 is also pivotallymounted upon the shaft 135 and this latch is adapted to be moved intothe path of the locking bar 92 when the latter is in the position shownin Figure 7. When thus ositioned, it will be impossible to actuate t elocking bar until the latch has been moved out of engagement with theend thereof, which movement of the latch is effected by the rotation ofthe cylinder 122 by a key member. This latch preferably has one endoutwardly projecting ioo through the plate 49 at the rear of thecontainer so that the attendant may manually release the door-lockingmechanism from the rear of the container. A torsion spring 137 ismounted on the shaft 135 and has one end secured to the Wall 125 and itsopposite end to the latch 136, thereby tending normally to retain thelatch in the position shown in Figure 4, in which position it willv beseen that the depending lug 138 of the latch will be yieldably held incontact with the bottom wall of the U-shaped member 127. The oppositeend of the latch 136 is provided with an offset end-portion 139 which isadapted to be engaged by one of the teeth 123 of the cylinder when thelatter is rotated by the insertion of a key member or card. When thecylinder 122 is `rotated to the position shown in Figure 18, one of theteeth 123 thereof will engage the offset end-portion 139 of the latchand upwardly move it as shown. Such movement of the cylinder willtherefore cause thelatch 136 to be downwardly moved from the positionshown in Figures 4 and 7 to that shown in Figures 6 and 18, wherein itwill be seen that the latch will be moved out of engagement with the endof theV locking bar 92, thereby permitting the latter to be moved intodoor-releasing position as shown in Figures 2 and 7. The opposite end ofthe latch 136 is also provided with an outwardly extending lug 141, (seeFig. 19) adapted to engage the lower edge of the dog 134 so that whenthe latch is moved to the position shown in Figure 18 the dog 134 willsimultaneously be movedout of en gagement with the ratchet 133 so thatthe pur- Chaser may withdraw the key member from the card holder. Whenthe dog 134 is in engagement with the ratchet 133, as shown in Figure 4,it`will be impossible for the purchaser to remove the key member fromthe key slide after it has been thrust into the device suiciently far tocause the teeth 123 of the cylinder 122 to be received in the slots 132of the key card. The purchaser must therefore complete the inwardmovement of the card to effect the releasing of the doorlockingmechanism before it can lbe withdrawn.

Means are provided to mark the unlocking key member or card 131 with acharged indication of the commodity or article which is thus removablydelivered. Such means preferably consists in removably mounting a commonform of type 142 upon a sleeve 143 rotatably mounted upon a shaft 144which is selectively mounted in a pair of a plurality of aperturesprovided in the opposed upturned flanges or walls 111 of the cardholder, as shown in Figures`4 and 15. When these vending machines areused in a series, they usually contain different commodities of which apurchaser may desire one or more; hence, the marking means must be solsame card in a different place.

arranged that each machine will mark the, Means must therefore beprovided whereby the shaft 144, carrying the t pe, may be changed oradjusted Within t e card holder' and such is the purpose of theplurality of apertures 145 provided in each of the side walls 111 of thecard holder. By means of these apertures it will readily be seen that ifthe type-bearing shaft 144 is moved from the position shown in Figure 4,and is mounted in bearing holes nearer the front end of the card holder,that an inserted card will obviously be printed nearer the outer endthereof. |The type 142 is also adapted to be moved or adjustedtransversely of the card holder so that the card may thereby be printedin a different vertical plane, as shown in the printing spaces definedby the lines forming longitudinal spaces upon the upper face of thecard, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 20.

In order that the lateral adjustment of the type may be quicklyaccomplished, the type is preferably provided with extensions or lugsA146 which are adapted to be demountably fitted into an annular grooveor seat 147 provided in the sleeve 143 as shown in F igures 14 and 16.The lugs 146 In@ be integrally formed with the type, as shown in Figure16.

Means are also provided to lock the type against relative rotation uponthe sleeve 143. Such means preferably resides in the provision of alocking member 148 which is slidably mounted upon the sleeve 143. Thislocking member is provided with an open end slot 149 a 1apted to receivethe type when the locking member is moved into type-locking position asshown in Figure 13. A key way 151 is provided in the sleeve 143 toreceive a tOngue 152 formed on the locking member 148 adapted to bereceived in the key way 151, as shown in Figure 17, thereby to preventthe locking member from relatively rotating upon the sleeve. To removethe type from the sleeve 143, the locking member will belongitudinallymoved upon the sleeve 143 from the position shown inFigure 13 to that shown in Figure 14, after which the type may readilybe removed from the sleeve 143. When a new type is mounted on the sleeve143, the locking member 148 will again be moved to the position shown inFigure 13, thereby securely locking the type to the sleeve. It is to beunderstood that a different sleeve must be used each time the type isadjusted laterally within the card holder. By this novel arrangement ofmounting the type upon the sleeve 143, and therefore the typo carryingshaft 144, it will be seen that it will be impossible for the type toaccidentally become detached therefrom or to relatively shift itsposition upon the sleeve. The locking member 148 is preferably providedwith an annular disc or ange 130 adapted to engage the key member todownwardly hold it against the bottom of the key holder and to preventthe type from accidentally contacting therewith.

The means provided for inking the type each time the device is actuatedpreferably resides in mounting an inking roll 153 upon a shaft 154rotatably mounted in bearings provided in an oscillating frame 155 whichis pivotally mounted upon a shaft 156 also borne by a pair of theapertures 145 of the side walls 111 of the card holder. The in king roll153 may be of any suitable material which will absorb and retain asuiicient quantity of ink to supply the type with ink for a reasonableperiod of time. A leaf spring 157 is secured to the frame 155 adapted tobe engaged by a cover 158'When the latter is in the position shown inFigures 4,12, 13 and 15, thereby to yieldably hold the frame 155 andtherefore the inking roll in a substantially fixed relatioiito the type142. The purpose of the cover 158 is also to retain the shafts 144 and156 in their operating positions when the cover is closed., as shown inFigure 13. Inthis Figure, it will be seen that the offset dependingflanges 159 of the cover will overhang the ends 4of the shaft therebypreventing them from being moved longitudinally in their bearings. Aguide disc 120 is preferably mounted adjacent the forward end of the keyholder adapted to engage the upper surface of the key member wheninserted into the key holder, thereby to prevent the card from bulgingor raising up when contacting with the arched member 105. This disc ispreferably carried by a shaft 110 mounted in a pair of the apertures 145in the walls 111 of the card holder. Spacing sleeves 100 are alsopreferably mounted on the shaft 110 to retain the disk in its properposition on the shaft. The cover plate 158 is preferably hinged to theforward end of the card holder by such means as the shaft 161. From theforegoing, therefore, it will readily be seen that when it is desired tochange the position -of the die 142 and also the inking roll 153, thecover plate 158 will be raised to the position shown in Figure 2 afterwhich the shafts 144 and 156 may readily be demounted from the apertures145 and shifted to any selected position in the card holder. The coverplate will then be returned to its f normal position as shown in Figures4, 12

and 13 in which position the depending flanges 159 thereof will overhangthe ends of the shaft thereby preventing their removal from the sidewalls 111 of the card holder.

Means are also provided for rotating the die-carrying shaft 144 to bringthe die into Contact with the inking roll 153 and the key card when thelatter is inserted into the card holder. For this purpose, a pinion 162is terminally mounted on one end of'.

the sleeve 143 adapted to mesh with a. rack 163 which is slidablymounted in the card holder or slide adjacent one side thereof, as shownin Figures 1, 2, 13 and 14. The rear end of the rack 163 is secured to aU- shaped frame 164 which therefore is slidable with the rack and isyieldingly held in its forward or normal position against a stop 165 asshown in Figures 1, 2 and 12'. A sleeve 166 is rotatably mounted in theU-shaped frame 164 and has a rotor 167 secured to one end thereof. Theface of the rotor is provided with a plurality of stop pins 168outwardly projecting from the face thereof and adapted to be engaged bya stop plate 169 terminally secured to a shaft 170 which is slidablymounted in the sleeve 166. A cam 14() is preferably secured to the backface of the stop plate 169 and has a socket or depression 150 thereinadapted to successively receive the ends of the pins 168 as the rotor167 is rotated, thereby to retain it in its adjusted positions. Acompression spring 160 is mounted upon the opposite end of the shaft 170and functions to yieldably holdthe cam 140 against one of the rotor pins168. A split retainer ring 174 is preferably mounted in a groove 180 onthe end of the sleeve 166 to prevent longitudinal movement of thesleeve.

In the operation of the device the end of the key member being insertedin the inachine to release the locking means will engage the stop plate169 and will thereby rearwardly move the frame 164 and therefore therack 163. Such movement of the rack 163 will cause the diecarryingsleeve 143 to be rotated to bring the die into contact with the inkingroll and subsequently with the key member to stamp the price of thecommodity thereon. The frame 164 and rack 163 are normally held in theirfor- Vward position by means of a coiled compression spring 171 mountedupon a pin 172 which has one end secured to the frame 164 and the otherend slidablyv mounted in the upturned flange 173 of the card holder.

In devices of this kind it is desirable in order to prevent a purchaserfrom inserting a card twice in the same container with the fraudulentintent that the marking mechanism will simply cause a second marking tobe accurately superposed upon the first, and hence but a single markingto appear upon the card, and it is the purpose of the stop pins 168 onthe face of the rotor to prevent such repetition upon the same card. Inthe drawings, it will be noted that there are four such stop pins shownand that they are of various lengths, thereby successively changing theactuations of the printing shaft in timed relation to the movement ofthe card each time vit is inserted into the timed relation of theprinting with respect to the movement of the card, the repeated markingswill appear as indicated in one of the rectangular squares shown on thecard in Figure 20. The spring 16() functions to move the cam 140 intoengagement with one of the pins thereby to retain the rotor in itsadjusted positions. (See Fig. 10.)

Means are also provided for intermittently actuating the rotor to bringa different stop pin into contact with the cam 140 of the stop plate169, each time the mechanism is operated. The means provided for thuspartially rotating the rotor each time the device is operated preferablyconsists in the provision of a yieldable hook 175 which is mounted upona guidebar 176 having one end pivotally connected to the operating lever85 for simultaneous operation therewith. One end of this guide bar issupported by' an upright guide plate 177 which is suitably secured tothe top wall or slide 23 of the container. A tension spring 178 has oneend connected to the upright guide plate 177 and its other end connectedto the offset portion of the guidebar 176 so that the bar 176, andtherefore the hook 175, are under a constant force tending to move thehook to a position over the rotor 167 (see Figure 11). This spring alsofunctions to constantly exert a pull upon the operating lever 85 to moveit from the position shown in Figures 1 and 7 to that shown in Figures 2and 6, the latter being locked against such movement when the lockingbar 92 is in contact with the latch 186 as shown in Figures 1 and 7.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 8, it will be noted that the rotorpreferably has a plurality of ratchet teeth formed on the peripherythereof one of which is adapted to be engaged by the hook 175 each timethe operating mechanism is actuated. lVhen the parts are in door-lockingposition as shown in Figure 1 and the ke card is thrust into the cardholder, the en thereof will engage the stop plate 169 which will causethe frame 164, carrying the rotor, to be rearwardly moved with the carduntil the rotor reaches the position shown in Figure 2, in whichposition it will be substantially in the path of the hook 175 to beengaged thereby as will hereinafter be described. Such movement of therotor will simultaneously cause the frame 164 to be rearwardly moveduntil the upright lug 179 providedthereon will be moved to a positionback of the end of the guide bar 176 as shown by the dotted lines inFigures 1 and 8. Such movement of the card will also cause the cylinder122 to be rotated as a result of the teeth 123 thereof engaging theslots 132 in the card. Rota-tion of the cylinder will cause the latch136 to be downwardly moved out of engagement with the locking bar 92,thereby causing the operating lever 85 and. its associated parts to bemoved from the position shown in Figure 1 to that shown in Figures 2 and8, wherein it will be seen that the hook 175 is in position to engagethe rotor when the lever 85 is again moved into door-locking position.As soon as the mechanism has been actuated, as above described, the door31 at the front end of the container will be unlocked and partiallyopened, and the purchaser may then remove the article from the containerand also withdraw the key member from the card holder. When the keymember is withdrawn from the key holder the upright lug 179 of the rotorframe 164 will engage the end of the guidebar 176 and will thereb holdthe rotor in a position beneath the hook 175 as shown in Figures 2 and8. It will be impossible for the attendant to actuate or set thedoor-locking mechanism until after the key card has been withdrawn fromthe key holder caused by the upper end of the post 99 being seated inthe notch 98 in the lower edge of the locking bar 92. As soon, however,as the key card has been withdrawn from the key holder the attendant mayrefill the container and again set the door-locking mechanism by movingthe lever 85 from the position shown in Figure 2 to that shown inFigure 1. Such movement of the lever 85 will cause the hook 175 tointermittently rotate the rotor 167, which rotation of the rotor will becompleted before the guide bar 176 is moved out of engagement with theupright lug 179 of the rotor fr'ame. `When the guide bar 176 is movedout of engagement with the lug 179 the rotor frame and rotor will bereturned to the position shown in Figure 1 by means of the compression171. By thus intermittently rotating the rotor for each operation of themechanism, a different stop 168 will be presented to the key card eachtime it is inserted into the card slide.

Means are preferably provided for partially outwardly moving the keycard slide or holder when the hook 119 is lifted out of engagement withthe aperture 118 at the rear 'end of the card holder. Such meanspreferably resides in the provision of a bar 181 which is slidablymounted in upright guides 182 secured to the top wall 23 of thecontainer as shown in Figures 2, 8 and 11. One end of this bar isyieldingly held against an outwardly projecting lug 183 provided on oneof the side walls 111 of the card holder by means of a tension spring184 havingl one end secured tothe rear end of the bar and the other endto one of the guides supporting the bar. By means of this bar, it willbe seen that as soon as the hook v119 is moved out of engagement withthe aperture 118, the spring 184 will cause the card hold- -er to beoutwardly moved from the container to the position shown in Figure 5,after which it may readily be removed for such adjustments as arenecessary to be made to properly locate the marking die within the cardholder.

Means are preferably provided in conjunction with this novel vendingmachine whereby the attendant may readily and conveniently see when oneof the containers has been emptied by a purchaser removing the articletherefrom. Such means preferably resides in mounting a signal light 185at the rear end of^the container, which light normally is dark and isadapted to be lighted each time the door-locking mechanism has beenmoved into door-unlocking position. This light is mounted in a socket186 supported by an insulating block 187 which is secured to the topWall of the container by means of brackets 188. A metallic strip 189 hasone end electrically connected to the socket 186 and its other endsimilarly connected to a conductor 191 which has its other end connectedto a contact 192 mounted in an insulating block 193 mounted adjacent theforward end of the container. rlhe metallic strip 189 is suitablymounted upon an insulating block 194 which functions to insulateit fromthe metallic parts of the container (see Figures 1, 2 and 3). Flexiblecontact lingers 195 and 196 are also mounted on the block 194. These twocontactfingers are preferably integrally formed from a single piece ofmetal as shown in Figure 11. A relatively shorter contact iinger 197 ismounted at the opposite end of the block 194 and has a conductor 198connected thereto which leads to a Contact 199 mounted in the insulatingblock 193 adjacent the forward end of the container. It is lto beunderstood that the contacts 192 and 199 are electrically separated fromeach other as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 2. The contacts 192and 199 are adapted to be moved into electrical connection with thespring clips 201 and 202, when the top Wall or slide 23 of the containeris in normal position as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The spring clips201 and 202 are electrically connected to the main feed wires 203 sothat when the contacts 199 and 192 are in electrical contact therewith,current will be supplied to the conductors 191 and 198.

The means provided for opening and closing the circuit to the signallight 185 is conveniently effected by means of a dependingcircuit-closing blade 204 which is secured to an insulating block 205secured to the idebar 176 by means of screws' 206. The hook 175 is alsoreferably mounted on the insulating block. When the operating lever 85is in the position shown in Figure 1 and Figure 11, it will be seen thatthe circuitclosing blade 204 is out of contact with the contact finger196 so that the signal light circuit 'will be opened. As soon, however,as the mechanism is actuated, by the .insertion of a key card, theoperating lever will be moved from the position shown in Figure 1 tothat shown in Figures 2 and 8 wherein it will be seen that thecircuitclosing blade 204 will be moved into contact with the contactfingers 196 and 197 thereby effecting the closing of the circuitwith'the result that the signal light will be lighted, thereby warningthe attendant that the content-s of the container have been removed. Assoon as the container has again been replenished and the parts' movedinto doorlockmg position, the signal light circuit will again be opened.The light- 35 illuminating the interior of the container is electricallconnected to the conductors 191 and 198 by connectors 100 so that itwill constantly be lighted when the container is intact, as shown inFigures 1 and 2. A main switch (not shown) may be provided for openingthe circuit in the main line wires 203 when the container is not in use.

A locking member 207 is preferably pivotally mounted upon each side wall22 adJacent the upper edge thereof and each such member has an uprightlug 208 adapted to be received in a slot 209 provided in the upper Wall23 of the container as shown in 'Figures 1 and 2 and 19. Flat springs211 are secured to the pivotally mounted ends of the locking members andhave their flexible ends bearing against the wall 23 as shown in Figure9. These locking members' function 100 to lock the top wall 23 to theside walls 22 when the container is assembled for operation. Eachlocking member is preferably provided with an inwardly extending fingergrip 212 whereby they may be convenient 105 ly moved out of engagementwith the slots 209 in the wall 23 when it is desired to remove thelatter from the container for repairs or other purposes.

In the operation of this novel vending ma- 110 chine, the attendant willfirst place the commodity to be vended within the container after Whichhe will move the latch 85 into door-locking position as shown inFigure 1. The purchaser may then insert the key card or member into themouth 115 of the card holder, as hereinbefore described, until the endthereof engages one of the sto s 169 of the rotor and also the teeth 123o the cylinder 122 which will cause the door-operat- 120 ing mechanismto be released after which he may conveniently remove the article fromthe container. As a result of the novel construction of the pivotallymounted arms 101 and 104 and the upright posts 99 it will be 125impossible for the attendant to effect the closing of the door 31 untilafter the purchaser has removed the key card from the key holder. Thisis caused by means of the arm 104 being downwardly' forced by the 130 ofthe stop lug 83 on the latch 77, it will be impossible for the operatorto set the doorlocking mechanism when the door 31 isin open position,caused by the projection 74 of the bell crank 67 engaging the lug 83, itwill, therefore, be seen that before the attendant can move the partsinto ldoor-locking position the hook 76 of the door 31 must be in theposition shown in Figure 3, in which position the projection 74-cwillengage Vthe cam face of the hook 7 6 and will thereby inwardly move thedoor to closing position, the end vof the hook causing the latch tobeinwardly moved so that the stop-lug 83 will be moved out of the' path ofthe projection 74 so that the closing of the door may be completed. Ifdesired, the attendantmay conveniently release the door-lockingmechanism from the back of the container by simply downwardly moving theoutwardly progecting end-portion of the latch 136, as shown in Figure18.

,. The number of teeth 123 on the cylinder 122 may be varied, ifdesired, and their size and shape may also be changed. When this isdone, the apertures 132 in the key card must be changed accordingly inorder to receive the teeth. Thus it will be seen that should a purchaserattempt to defraud the machine by the use of a counterfeit key member,the owner or attendant may prevent such attempt by simply changing thenumber of teeth in the cylinder or by changing'the shapes and sizes. Inorder that such a change may readily be made, the teeth are preferablyintegrally formed on the cylinder so that the entire cylinder is removedwhen such a change is necessitated. The cylinder may conveniently beremoved by removing the end late or .bar 215 from the wall 125 of the U-aped member 127. This device is therefore substantially foolproof as it-will be impossible for the attendant to place `an article within thecontainer and move the door-locking-mechanism into locking positionwithout positively closing the door 31 at the front of the container.

When it is desired to remove the top slide or walls 23 from thecontainer, the card holder will irst be removed from its guides as aunit by releasing the hook 119 from the aperture 118. The hook 119 maybe conveniently moved out of enga ement with the aperture 118 to releasethe slide by means of the master key 213, shown in Figure 21. Thismaster key is preferably of metal and has an extension 214 providedthereon adapted to engage the hook 119 to lift it out of the aperture118 when thrust into the key holder. The screwl 73 will then be loosenedafter which the arms 69 may be oscillated upon the pin 71 so as todownwardly move the pivot pin 68 of the bell crank 67. Such movement ofthe bell crank will cause the terminal 88 of the upright end thereof tobe downwardly moved outy of engagement with the aperture 87 in theshortend of the L-shaped operating arm 85. The locking members 207 will thenbe downwardly moved, by means of the finger grips 212, until the lugs208 are moved out of engagement with the slots 209. The light bulb 35 isthen removed from its socket after which the entire upper wall, carryingthe operating mechanism, may be rearwardly removed from the container.

I claim as my invention:`

1. A vending machine including a container for a commodiy, saidcontainer comprising an open ende casing having the upper walldemountably mounted thereon, a closure for the container, mechanism forlocking the closure in container-closing position, mounted oh thedemountable upper wall and one of the side walls of the casing, and saidmeans being adapted to be unlocked by an instrumentality to permitremoval of the commodity.

2. A vending machine including a casing open at both ends and having itsupper wall demountable; an open-ended container for a commodity mountedwithin said casing, a closure for each en'd of the container, mechanismfor locking one of said closures in container-closing position, mountedupon a wall of said casing, and means cooperable with said locking meansmounted on said demountable wall and detachably connected with saidlocking mechanism and adapted to be actuated by a key member to releasesaid locking mechanism to permit removal of the commodity from thecontainer, and the detachable connection between said actuating meansand said locking mechanism permitting removal of the demountable Wallfrom said casing.

3. A vending machine including an openended container for a commodity, aclosure for each end of the container, means to lock one of saidclosures in container-closing position and adapted to be unlocked by akey member to permit removal of the commodity, and means tendingnormally to partially open said closure and also functioning to preventthe closure-locking means from eing actuated when the closure is openeda predetermined distance.

4. A vending machine includin a container for a commodity, said contamercomlill) prising a casing having its front and rear ends open, a closurefor each end of the container, means to lock the 'front closure incontainer-closing position, and adapted to be unlocked by a key memberof sheet material to permit removal of the commodity, and means at therear of the container for manually actuating said locking means to locksaid closure in container-closing position, when opened a predetermineddistance, said means comprising an L-shaped lever pivotally mounted 0nthe top Wall of the casing and having one end operatively associatedwith. said locking means. p

5. A Vvending machine including a container for a commodity, a closuretherefor, means movable to lock the closure in container-closingposition, the locking means being normally adapted to remain in unlockedposition, a bar connected to the locking means and movable therewith, alatch pivot-ally mounted on the machine and normally positioned in' thepath of the bar whereby the locking means may be maintained in lockingposition, and means for moving the latch out of engagement with the barwhereby the locking means is moved to unlocked position to permitremoval of the commodity. k

6. A vending machine including a container for a commodity, a closuretherefor, means movable to lock the closure in container-closingposition, the locking means being normally adapted to remain in unlockedposition, a bar connected to the locking means and movable therewith, alatch mounted on the machine in the path of said bar whereby saidlocking means may be maintained in locking position, means operable by akey member to move the latch out of engagement with said bar to permitthe latter to be moved, whereby said locking means is moved to unlockedposition and the commodity may be removed, and means automaticallyadapted, upon movement of said locking means to closure-lockingposition, to return said latch to bar-detaining position.

7. A vending machine including a container for a commodity, a closuretherefor,

@means movable to lock said closure in container-closing position, thelocking means being normally adapted to remain in unlocked position, alocking bar connected to the locking means and movable therewith, alatch`-pivotally mounted on the machine adapted to engage said barwhereby the locking means may be maintained in locked position, andmeans adapted to be actuated by a key member to move the latch out ofengagement with the locking bar, whereby the locking means may move tounlocking position.

8. A vending machine including a container for a commodity, a closuretherefor,

means movable to lock the closure in con' tainer-closing position andadapted to be unlocked by a key member to permit removal of thecommodity, a ke holder on the container having a key way therein adaptedto receive said key member, and means adapted to be engaged by said keymember to move said locking means to its released position and preventwithdrawal of said {eylmember until said locking means' has been somoved.

9. A vending machine including a container for a commodity, a closuretherefor, `means movable to lock sald closure 1n containerclosingposition, said locking means being normally adapted to remain inunlocked position, a locking bar connected with said locking means, alatch engageable with said bar to retain the latter in locking position,a key way adapted to receive a key member, means operable by said keymember to move said latch out of engagement with said bar and to permitthe latter to move to unloading position, whereby the closure isreleased to permit removal of the commodity, and means actuated by saidkey member to prevent resetting of said locking means when a key memberis inserted in said key way.

10. A vending machine including a container for a commodity, a closuretherefor, means movable to lock the closure in container-closingposition, the locking means being normally adapted to remain in unlockedposition, a locking bar connected to the locking means and movabletherewith, a key way in the machine adapted to receive a key member tounlock said closure to permit removal of the commodity, aspring-actuated latch member mounted adjacent the key way adapted toengage the end of the locking bar to maintain it in llocking position, atoothed cylinder having its teeth projecting into the path of the keymember to be engaged thereby to rotate said cylinder, and means on thecylinder adapted to engage the latch member, when saidcylinder isrotated, thereby to move it out of engagement with the locking barwhereby the lock ing means is moved to an unlocked position to permitremoval of the commodity.

11. A vending machine including a container for a commodity, a closuretherefor, means to lock the closure in container-closing position andadapted to be unlocked by insertion of a key member to permit removal ofthe commodity, a key holder having a key Way adapted to receive said keymember, a cylinder rotatably mounted in the key holder over said keyway, a plurality of spaced peripheral teeth on the cylinder projectinginto the path of the key member, and said key member having a pluralityof apertures adjacent one end thereof adapted to receive the teeth onthe cylinder, thereby to cause the latter to be rotated to release thelocking means.

12. A 'vending machine including a container for a commodity, a closuretherefor, means to lock the closure in container-closing position andadapted to be unlocked by akey member to permlt removal of thecommodity, a key holder on the container having a key way thereinadapted to receive the .key member, a cylinder rotatably mounted 1n thekey holder, a plurality of spaced teeth on the cylinder projecting intothe path of the key member, said key member having a plurality of spacedapertures adjacent one end thereof adapted to receive the teeth in saidcylinder, a ratchet device adapted to be operatively connected with saidcylinder'to limit a portion of its movement to one direction so thatwhen the key member is moved into the key Way and the teeth of saidcylinder are received in the apertures thereof, said key member cannotbe withdrawn from said key way until-it has been moved therein apredetermined, distance suicient to release the closure locking means.

13. A vending machine including a container for a commodity, a closuretherefor, means movable to lock the closure in eon tainer-closingposition, the locking means member to engage and prevent movement of 40said bar when in an unlocked position and the key member is inserted inthe key Way. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 17thday of February, 1925.

WOODLAND H. GILBERT.

